Vasco DaGama

born year: 1460

birth place: Sines Portugal

death date: December 24th 1524

death place: Cochin India

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Early life

Not much is known about his early life. He was born into a noble family with 2 older brothers, 2 younger brother and one sister. He grow up in libson portugal.His father was a knight of the household of Infante Ferdinand Duke of Viseu and went on to rise the ranks of the military. he studied the the town of Evora where he learned mathmatics and navigation. There is an interesting story of how chosen for the mission. Bartholomew Diaz who was origanly chosen failed to to find the sea rout to India. So Estevao Da Gama was chosen. Unfortunatly, he perished before the project details were made offical. So Vasco Da Gama was finally chosen.




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Where they explored

The first place they landed on was helena bay as a rest stop. They also landed many times on the African coast
where they met muslum traders and Indians.After that they landed on Cochin India. they explored there and found
gold and other minerals, spices, and jewels.

Where they landed

On November 7th they landed on Helena Bay. they stayed there for eight days to clean the ships and collect food.
After they left the bay they made their way to India. They landed in Cochin India on May 20th. They also stopped
many times on the coast of Africa.

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Who they met and what they found

When Da Gama they landed in India he met a young lady named Elizibeth Times.They also
encountered some indians who seemed nice at first but they soon attacked and wounded DaGama
and some of his crew. On the first voyage, they ran into some muslim traders on the coast of Africa when they stopped.
On the second journey, they came prepair and killeed most of the muslums to show his power.
He found gold, silk, spices, perfumes, medicine and jewels.

How many trips and ships

Da Gama's crew made 3 trips. The first trip was made on july 8th 1497. His second trip started on february 12th 1502. The final trip was made on december 29th. He died on his third trip. DaGama took 3 ships. 1) Sao gabriel, 2) Sao Rafeal 3) Berrio.

Significance of his journey

DaGama's journey was very important. The purpose of his journey was to prove it is possible to sail around the southern tip of Africa. They wanted to find a sea rout to India. They also wanted to find out what they would and who find when they had past the point that Diaz reached on the first voyage.

Fun Facts!!!!

  1. His father was amber of the royal household of prince Dom Frenyo.
  2. Vasco Da Gama wasnt an experianced sailor yet he was chosen to lead the sailind expedtion.
  3. During the years of discovery, Portugal established many trading post along the western court of africa. one of the trading forts, in cape verde, is a great torist attractions.
  4. The beautiful curch of sao jeronimo contair is where Vasco Da Gamas tomb is burried.
  5. Da Gama followed Diaz's advise and swugn his ships in an arc far to the west of the African coast so he didnt get lost.
  6. Da Gama had two older brothers two younger brothers and one sister.





information found at:

wikiapedia
bbc
bio.com
google
nndb
infoplease
modern history sourcebook
enchanted learning
DaGama the portugeese explorer(book)
social studies (book)